8 ways to decorate a rented property

Despite the image of tenants being flighty characters who move home every six months, renters are living in the same place for increasingly extended periods of time. Rightmove research among nearly 1,300 landlords in 2022 found the most common length of a private tenancy is over two years, with a fifth (18%) of landlords saying their average length of tenancy has increased over time.

Zoopla’s findings from 2022 concurred. Its analysis found UK tenants were staying in their rental properties for an extra five months, with the average tenancy length at 75 weeks – up from 51 weeks at the start of 2017. In England specifically, average rental durations are lengthening – rising from 3.9 years in 2016/17 and 4.1 years in 2017/18, to 4.4 years in 2021/22, according to the latest English Housing Survey.

With average stays increasing in duration, it’s no surprise tenants want the property to feel like home. Tailoring surroundings to personal tastes is something that is achievable, even if the tenancy agreement sets out some restrictions. Known as clauses, a landlord will detail what is and isn’t allowed in respect of DIY and redecoration.

Once tenants are familiar with the clauses, they can start planning how to add colour and personality. While drilling holes in the wall, repainting in bold colours and wallpapering may be off limits, here are 8 ideas that will give any rental property unique character and style:

1. Add a statement rug: a rug is a great way to add colour and texture, as well as cover up a floor covering you’re not fond of. Interior designers advise to go for the biggest size rug possible for both impact and balance.

2. Go green with house plants: air purifying, mood boosting and affordable, house plants have so many benefits. Lush leaves, bright flowers and coloured pots will look fantastic against a plain wall and if you opt for herbs, you’ll enrich your cooking too.

3. Lead with light shades: many rental properties have bare light bulbs but shades can quickly be added for a designer look. Plain, pleated and patterned pendant shades are freely available and for maximum impact, buy matching examples for table lamps too.

4. Try removable wallpaper: if you’re prohibited from painting, investigate removable wallpaper. Specific ‘peel and stick’ varieties are designed not to damage what’s underneath or leave behind anything tacky.

5. Add the latest trend to tiles: in the same vein as removable wallpaper, you can buy stickers and self-adhesive paper, which add a temporary splash of colour to bathroom and kitchen tiles. Simply cut to fit, apply and remove with ease.

6. Let soft furnishings do the talking: if you’re faced with four magnolia walls, use this base as a foil for furniture. An armchair upholstered in cobalt blue, an ottoman in mustard yellow or a chest of drawers painted candy floss pink will really ‘pop’ in a neutral setting.

7. Accessorise with bold colours: cushions and throws are the natural place to start and it’s easy to create a design theme with these two items alone – perhaps Art Deco or botanical. You can enhance the look by adding matching items, such as candles and vases.

8. Try ‘no-damage’ strips and hooks: when nails, screws, pins and even Blu Tac are banned, tenants can try Command™ Strips & Hooks. These products are specifically designed to be damage-free and come off clean when removed.

If you’re thinking of adding a touch of personality to a privately rented property, please contact us and we will explain any clauses that are listed in your tenancy agreement.

Should vendors commission surveys before they sell?

The buying and selling process in the UK hasn’t changed for decades. Most home movers understand a survey that examines the condition of a property is commissioned by the purchaser as part of ‘caveat emptor’ – let the buyer beware.

There is, however, another approach that puts the seller in the driving seat when it comes to surveys. It’s very much a pre-emptive move that arms a homeowner with essential facts about their home before they put the property on the market.

You may ask why a seller should bear the cost of certain surveys when usually the bill is picked up by the buyer. Let’s explain. One of the most common reasons for a purchaser to withdraw from a transaction is a negative set of survey results. By the time the survey is received, the transaction is usually quite far along, with the house taken off the market, a degree of financial investment and the seller making onward plans.

If a buyer isn’t happy with the survey results, there are a number of paths they can follow. They can ask the seller to reduce the asking price to a figure that factors in the cost of remedying any issues; the buyer can ask the seller to undertake the work to correct defects in order for the sale to proceed, or the buyer can walk away from the purchase.

Each option delays the process and the first two options will cost the seller money, as well as incur delays. Pre-emptive surveys carried out by the seller before the ‘for sale’ board goes up can help mitigate these scenarios and prevent unwanted surprises.

So, what type of surveys should a seller consider commissioning? The top two survey discoveries that would prompt a buyer to withdraw from a purchase are subsidence and Japanese Knotweed. Other aspects that may trouble a buyer are damp and mould.

Seller-commissioned surveys are sensible if the homeowner suspects there is an issue – perhaps they have seen large cracks appear since they bought the property. It’s also worth bearing in mind that some problems can be genuinely missed. A new survey by Legal & General’s team of accredited surveyors found damp was the most common issue to go unnoticed by homeowners prior to a survey. Asbestos and electrical issues were also aspects that were only picked up by a surveyor’s assessment.

Such issues can be identified upfront by specialised contractors, who will inspect the property and grounds, highlight any issues that may come up in a buyer’s survey, give an estimated price to correct the faults and carry out any work necessary.

The information gleaned from any specialist surveys allows sellers to take a course of action that best suits their circumstances: carry out any work before a sale starts, price according to the home’s condition or prepare to make allowances when the buyer’s survey results are received.

Not every seller will need to conduct their own specialist surveys and we feel they will never replace a HomeBuyer Survey or a full structural/building survey carried out on behalf of the purchaser.

If you’re a potential seller in any doubt, we can advise if any action needs to be taken before your home comes to market. The age, location and condition of your property will be taken into account, and the survey report from the last sale may be used for background information. Please contact us to discuss your moving plans.

Gen Z renters seek sustainable properties

What you think Generation Z want from a rental property and what they would actually like may surprise landlords hoping to target students, recent graduates and young professionals.

While Generation Z have a reputation for living their lives voraciously – and rather superficially – via social media, their property wishes are far more considered and cautious. A new survey of more than 2,500 people aged between 16-25, featured in an article published by PBSA News, set out to establish what was important to them in a rented home.

Flashy luxuries took a back seat to more sustainable aspects, illustrating that Generation Z is far more prudent and eco-conscious than landlords may believe. The headline statistic showed that 80% of Generation Z said it was important that their home had sustainability credentials – a figure that rose to 86% among the international Generation Z community based in the UK. In fact, only 6% of participants said sustainability features would not be important when deciding on their accommodation.

When it came to specifics, those taking part in the survey had a clear idea on how their home should be energy efficient. Good insulation to cut down on energy bills was important to 67% of respondents, while 35% said they would like to see solar panels installed.

Smart technology that can help save the environment and money was most important to 16 to 18 year-olds, with 57% of this age group expressing a willingness to pay more for smart tech as opposed to a concierge (35%), gaming room (39%), cinema room (46%), pub or bar (41%) or communal dining room (37%).

Landlords should also take heed of some other interesting findings – especially those looking to make new property investments. Becoming more self-sufficient was a surprising desire, with 22% of young people saying they want outdoor space to grow their own produce. And for landlords offering furnished properties, it’s worth noting that 73% of those surveyed would be comfortable living somewhere with second-hand or upcycled furniture.

The new findings follow a set of similar survey results released earlier in 2022. When questioning younger generations, E.ON found the majority (83%) of Generation Z and Millennials (the latter who are aged between 28-41) would be more inclined to speak to their landlord about installing a heat pump, than those in Generation X (those aged between 42-56). E.ON’s survey also revealed 8 in 10 from Generation Z would reject properties that didn’t meet minimum energy efficiency ratings, compared to only 6 in 10 Generation X who would do the same.

With tightening EPC standards set to be phased in from 2025, landlords should be preparing now in order to market more sustainable, legally-compliant properties in the future. For landlords who are early-adopters, a more energy efficient buy-to-let will appeal to a growing group of sustainably minded Generation Z tenants. If you would like advice on improving the energy efficiency of your portfolio, please get in touch.

Painting the front of your house: is it worth it?

How your home looks from the outside can determine how successful your sale is. After all, an exterior photo is what estate agents commonly use as the lead image when publishing an online listing, and it’s the first part of a property buyers see when they arrive for a viewing.

We use the expression ‘first impressions count’ for good reason and potential buyers faced with an exterior that’s cracked, flaking and grubby will make quick assumptions about your property.

Although repainting your home’s exterior isn’t a quick DIY job, it could be one of the best investments of your time if you’re planning to sell soon. Here we answer the most commonly asked questions about painting the front of a property.

Will a freshly painted exterior add value to my property?

You’ll often hear about ‘kerb appeal’ when selling a home and how your home looks from the outside certainly affects its value. A survey by Dulux Weathershield found UK homeowners who gave the exterior of their property a new coat of paint increased its perceived value by 25%. The paint manufacturer also found 93% of buyers are more likely to attend a viewing if the house’s exterior is well maintained.

Should I also paint my front door?

If it’s looking a little shabby, a fresh coat of paint on your front door should be high on your list of pre-selling priorities. Research has found the right choice of paint colour can also add value to your home. Opting for blue can increase a home’s value by as much as £4,000, while a freshly painted white front door can add around £3,400. Front doors painted red, black and green are other colours that can add value but a brown front door can shave hundreds of pounds off a home’s selling price.

Is there an ideal time of year to paint my property’s exterior?

Professional decorators recommend you attempt exterior painting during the months of April and September as the weather is usually drier and warmer, which allows the paint to cure more quickly. Check the forecast and choose a run of days when rain isn’t forecast.

Do I need planning permission to paint the front of my property?

Most homeowners can paint the exterior of their property without getting any special approvals but there are a few instances when planning permission may be required. Consult with your local council’s planning department if you live in a listed building, or if the property is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or conservation area. Requiring planning won’t stop you from painting the outside of your home but the planners/conservation experts may stipulate the colours you can choose from and the type of paint that is used.

Is there a special type of paint I should use?

As the exterior of your property is exposed to the elements and the surface you are painting over is different to plastered internal walls, you will need a special type of paint. Look out for masonry paint designed specifically for exterior surfaces. If you are painting your front door, choose your paint based on the door’s composition – wood or uPVC – as you may need a primer before the topcoat. Always prepare the exterior surface before painting – you may find this guide from DIY Doctor useful.

If you are getting ready to sell a property and would like advice concerning other ways to improve presentation and add value, contact our team today.

4 things a new-look Conservative party might mean for property

The Prime Minister’s resignation, a high-profile sacking and a raft of new appointments have given the ruling Conservative party a brand new look.

New faces in the Government’s housing departments come at a critical time for the property industry, with a number of new rules, regulations and laws waiting to come into force. The sacking of Michael Gove was the start of a completely different MP line-up, with the outgoing Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) replaced by Greg Clark.

In addition, Marcus Jones has been installed as the new Housing Minister after the resignation of Stuart Andrew, while Lord Greenhalgh, the representative responsible for overseeing the DLUHC’s business in the House of Lords, also handed in his notice.

While the ministerial changes are part of a wider bid to freshen up the Conservative party ahead of a possible snap general election, there could be imminent changes to the way we buy, sell, rent and invest in property as a result. Here are four watchpoints for the property market:-

  1. The Renters’ Reform Bill may be delayed: the property industry is rumbling with rumours of a delay to the much-hyped Renters’ Reform Bill. With Gove, the initiative’s creator, now out of the picture and Parliament’s summer recess pending, any new laws and regulations may be reconsidered or implemented at a later date. We’ll monitor the situation and relay any updates as soon as they happen.
  2. Cladding is Greg Clark’s priority: in his first media address since his appointment as the DLUHC head, Clark confirmed expediting a solution to the UK’s cladding crisis was the top of his agenda. He has given major housebuilders a four-week deadline to sign up to remediation work contracts, giving hope to property owners whose cladding has been deemed unsafe. Where other new property laws sit on his agenda remains to be seen.
  3. Uncertainty over part II of leasehold reforms: while part one of the Government’s leasehold reforms are in place – with newly-created leases now free of ground rent – doubt has been cast over how quickly part two will come into effect. While Lord Greenhalgh reconfirmed that reforms to make it cheaper and easier for existing leases to be extended to 990 years with zero ground rent would happen, his exit puts a question mark on how quickly phase two of the reforms will be introduced.
  4. The number of new homes built should rise: there is good news for fans of new build homes – and for all home movers who’d like to see a more fluid property market with more stock. Clark has declared a resetting of the Government’s relationship with housebuilders so they are more free to build more properties. Encouragingly, conversations with the House Builders’ Federation are already underway.

For now, the property market continues as normal. Please contact us if you are ready to sell or let your property.

Add value with these garden additions

The topic of adding value to a property is something extensively covered in the press but not every suggestion you read about is practical, affordable or enjoyable. What if, however, there were a number of ways to add value with items you may already be thinking about buying or installing this summer?

Look no further than your garden. It won’t have escaped your notice that outside space on its own is one of the best ‘added value’ aspects of property, with a well-kept garden widely believed to add between 10% and 20% to a home’s value.

A recent piece of research by Roofing Megastore set out to identify the garden facets that added the most value to a property. While some of the most substantial and permanent garden improvements see the biggest returns (adding a conservatory, a home office garden room, a gym/studio or an orangery will result in the most value, all increasing a property’s price by at least £6,500), there are a number of more modest and on-trend additions with surprising returns.

If you’re determined to make the most of your garden this summer before going on the market, you may like to consider this year’s al fresco must-have – the outdoor kitchen. Having a dedicated place to cook outside can add £6,385 to your home’s value and if you look up ‘outdoor kitchen hacks’ online, you’ll find some budget-friendly tips, tricks and DIY solutions.

Also bringing joy this summer and adding value at the same time is the hot tub (+£5,752); a garden bar (+£5,624); a built-in pizza oven (+£5,135) and a built-in outdoor BBQ (+£5,135). The research also found a new paved patio, a new decking area, a children’s treehouse, a greenhouse, and mature plants, trees and flowers all added more than £5,000 in value.

On the last point, even your choice of plants can create an uplift to your property’s price. GetAgent teamed up with gardener Craig Wilson from Gardener’s Dream to identify what plants add the most pounds. If you’re potting up tubs or sprucing up borders, Wilson says hydrangeas, peonies and eucalyptus will add value.

When it comes to devaluing property, there’s one plant that will dent the price and that’s Japanese Knotweed. It’s an invasive species not sold in garden centres but it can spread from neighbouring gardens, sidings and embankments.

If you think you have Japanese Knotweed, you’ll need to call in a registered expert to confirm its presence and treat the plant before you go on the market. If you don’t and Japanese Knotweed is identified in your survey report, a buyer may find it problematic to get a mortgage on your property.

Gardens really do hold great appeal, so sellers should pay attention to lawns, beds, borders and furniture. If you’d like advice about how to present your garden ahead of a sale, please get in touch.

How to tell if your next home will be warm

The topic of staying warm at home has never been more pertinent. In the face of a cold winter and rising fuel prices, Ovo Energy – Britain’s third-biggest energy supplier – sent an email to its customers in January, containing ideas on how to stay warm.

Ovo’s advice was ridiculed in the press. The firm’s ‘simple and cost effective’ tips included cuddling your pets and loved ones to stay cosy, eating ‘hearty’ bowls of porridge and consuming ginger (but not chilli as that makes you sweat) and doing a few star jumps.

While the pointers were well-meaning, they aren’t very practical on a long-term basis. A better solution is to ensure your next property is as energy efficient as possible, allowing you to enjoy a warm home without resorting to a daily diet of Quaker oats.

EPC ratings are your best friend

If you are moving home soon and want to know if the property will retain heat, there are a few things you can look out for. The first is the EPC rating – which shows how energy efficient the property is. All dwellings, whether to rent or for sale, will be listed with an EPC rating – look out for the coloured bar graph on our property details.

Properties are given a letter to show how energy efficient they are – an A rating is the best and G is the lowest. Although properties for sale can have any EPC rating to be sold, landlords can only rent out properties that have an EPC rating of E or above.

If a property’s current EPC is more than 10 years old – or if the home doesn’t have an EPC at all – an energy assessor will visit and look at certain aspects to decide how good its energy performance is. The heating system makes up the largest part of the EPC calculation, so a high rating is a good indicator that the property will be warm. Also taken into consideration by the assessor are windows, loft insulation and the external structure – all of which have an impact on how well heat is retained and cold air kept out.

Ask to see energy bills

While an EPC certificate will provide a guide to a home’s ability to generate heat and stay warm, seeing energy bills or smart meter readings from winter months will give you an idea of how heavily the current occupants rely on gas and electricity.

Energy bills are good for guidance but ensure you know if the property is heated using a gas-fired boiler or by electric storage heaters when interpreting the figures. In addition, bear in mind other energy usages outside of heating a home – lighting, powering electrical goods and cooking on a gas stove, for instance.

Be vigilant on viewings

If you are looking around a property between the months of November and March, there’s a good chance the heating system will be fired up when you arrive. Check the warmth coming from radiators and ask to see the boiler, noting the make and model. Don’t forget to ask about alternative sources of warmth, such as underfloor heating, electric towel rails, wood burning stoves, open fires and gas fireplaces.

If you would like more information on EPC ratings and what to look out for when moving home, please contact us today.

Purple reign! 6 ways to use Very Peri

After last year’s dual grey/yellow combination, the colour masters at Pantone have reverted to a single shade for 2022’s Colour of the Year. Introducing Very Peri – an uplifting shade of purple that was created especially for the year ahead.

Unlike other shades of purple, which are either classified as warm or cool, Very Peri is a mix of colder blues and violet reds, which makes it an easier shade to work with. That said, we appreciate that it may not be a hue you want to paint an entire room.

Using Very Peri as an accent colour is a flexible, low cost and more temporary way of embracing the latest colour trend in your home – especially if you are in rented accommodation and can’t make permanent changes. Here are 6 ideas to try:-

  1. Say it with flowers…and a vase: one of the quickest ways to bring Very Peri into your home is with a bunch of flowers. Choose hyacinths, irises, hydrangeas and lisianthus for a heady mix of purples, or opt for an all-white selection of blooms displayed in this Dartington Crystal Vase in the amethyst colourway, stocked at John Lewis.
  2. Throw in the towels: add colour and a spa-like vibe to your bathroom with a new set of fluffy towels – neatly folded in a stack or placed over a heated towel rail. Marks & Spencer’s cotton rich towels in the colour violet are a great Very Peri match.
  3. Paint it purple: paint isn’t just for walls. Prepare your surface correctly and choose the right paint finish, and you can apply a coat to just about anything – photo frames, bedside cabinets and even terracotta pots. Try Dulux’s off-the-shelf shade Purple Pout, or its mixed-to-order shade Amethyst Showers 1.
  4. Colour up with candles: Very Peri’s likeness to a vibrant shade of lavender makes it easy to find purple-coloured candles. Many examples that are infused with the scent are often coloured purple too – such as these ribbed lavender-scented candles by Bolsius, stocked by Wayfair.
  5. Cast some shade: whether you have a table lamp, ceiling pendant or wall light, a change of shade can completely change a room’s look. Pooky has an amazing choice of shades designed to fit a variety of fittings. Opt for the empire shade in cobalt silk for a fantastic colour match.
  6. Blanket coverage: a blanket or throw is one of the most versatile home accessories you can buy. This super-soft dyed cashmere blanket in violet from Anthropologie will add Very Peri vibes when neatly folded at the end of a bed or draped over the arm of a sofa.

Over the years we have seen many different interior design schemes in our property visits, with varying degrees of success. If you would like to view our current crop of design-led homes – or would prefer your next property to be a project – please contact the team today.

All you need to know about Japanese knotweed

There are a couple of phrases that strike fear into the hearts of property sellers – ‘serious subsidence’ and ‘negative equity’ being two of them. Another phrase you never want to hear is ‘Japanese knotweed’, but is having this invasive plant among your borders really a property death sentence?

Over the course of 2021, it is estimated that £11.8 billion was wiped off the value of UK property due to the presence of Japanese knotweed, with values taking a dip as soon as the plant is identified in a survey report or disclosed by the seller.

This figure, however dramatic it sounds, is a little misleading. Homeowners should be aware that only around 4% of UK properties are affected by Japanese knotweed and even when it is detected, it impacts the value of a property by about 5%. In many cases, a home’s full value is often achieved after an appropriate course of action is taken, despite the plant’s presence.

Even though the plant is found at less than 10% of UK properties, Japanese knotweed isn’t something that can be glossed over when it comes to selling a property. When you have decided to sell, you’ll be asked to fill out a Property Information Form (TA6).

This form requires sellers to give detailed information about the property and the surrounding area. It is a legal requirement to disclose if the property is or has ever been affected by Japanese knotweed, as its presence can create or worsen cracks in mortar and structural joints, as well as push up through paved and concrete areas.

It’s important that the ‘affected’ aspect is understood too, as sellers will need to divulge if they’ve ever had to treat the plant if it spread from a neighbouring property. It’s worth noting that a Japanese knotweed plant can be up to 7 metres away from your boundary and still need disclosing on a TA6 form.

Identifying Japanese knotweed (fallopian japonica) can be troublesome if you have no horticultural experience – it can look similar to other harmless plants but the RHS provides a good point of reference. If you’re in any doubt, it’s wise to revert to a specialist removal company for identification.

There is good news. Selling a property is entirely possible if there is Japanese knotweed. It really isn’t the barrier that some people imagine it can be. The vital aspect is to seek guarantee-backed treatment that mortgage lenders will accept.

It is usually the seller who instructs a specialist Japanese knotweed removal company to excavate and remove the plant’s rhizomes. The plant is rarely eradicated for good through hand weeding or with the use of herbicides as the rhizomes will be buried deep underground.

If a removal company offers an insurance-backed guarantee, lenders (sometimes referred to as knotweed IBG, a Japanese knotweed indemnity or a knotweed insurance-backed warranty), there’s a high chance a mortgage lender will loan against the property.

Don’t forget, the Japanese variety isn’t the only invasive knotweed out there. Dwarf, giant and bohemian are the other top three knotweeds buyers and sellers need to be on guard for. You can visit the Government’s web page dedicated to the prevention, treatment and disposal of knotweed for further details.

If you are planning to sell a property where you suspect a case of Japanese knotweed, or are buying a property where the plant has been disclosed on the TA6 form, please contact us for advice and guidance

6 portable garden trends

A quick skim of social media shows we are styling outside spaces in the same way as our home interiors – with colour, furniture and accessories – especially now our gardens are more important than ever.

Thankfully, there is a more temporary route to this summer’s hottest garden trends for those not wanting to make permanent or expensive outdoor improvements – ideal if your current home isn’t your forever home. Here are our top 6 portable garden trends for this summer:-

  1. Fire pits & chimineas: with recent emphasis on entertaining outside – and the British weather not always delivering tropical temperatures – a source of outside heat has moved up the must-have list. A bonfire isn’t always safe or practical, especially if you’re renting, but the good news is fire pits and chimineas are very much in vogue. These wood-fired portable sources of heat stand on legs and therefore won’t scorch the ground below.
  2. Plant pots: plants can be expensive and if you do choose to fill beds and borders, there is no guarantee anything you dig up and transport will survive in your next garden. The most portable way of adding flora and fauna is to use pots. Opt for a variety of sizes and you’ll be able to grow everything from bulbs and bedding plants to vegetables and even small trees, then simply load the pots onto the removal van when you’re on the move!
  3. Mirrors: if your garden is more of a courtyard or terrace than extensive area, mirrors can bounce around daylight and trick the eye into believing the space is larger than it is – just as you would inside a home. Prop a mirror against a wall for a no-fix solution or securely wall mount for removal at a later date – just ensure you opt for a mirror designed for outdoor use.
  4. Lighting: whether for safety or a sense of theatre, garden lighting is big news this summer. Solar lights are a fantastic, wire-free way of illuminating your garden and can be purchased anywhere, from supermarkets to garden centres. Choose from strings of festoon and fairy lights, spotlights and lanterns – all with the added benefit of being totally portable.
  5. Hot tubs: ‘plug in and play’ hot tubs have become less of a novelty and more of a permanent fixture, thanks to their temporary nature and more modest price point. Even though inflatable tubs feel a quick and easy luxury, they still need an outside power socket and careful daily chemical treatment – plus they use a significant amount of electricity. If you’re a tenant, you’ll need to check in advance with your landlord as to whether a hot tub and an outside power socket are allowed under the terms of your tenancy agreement.
  6. Waterproof textiles: the craze for creating outdoor rooms has led to an explosion of waterproof textiles in the form of cushions and rugs. Although it’s not desirable to leave these accessories out for a regular drenching, they will be shower proof and able to withstand a typical British summer. Opt for good-quality classic designs and a set of waterproof textiles will work in any garden you happen to grace.

If you’d like to see our list of available properties with gardens, please get in touch.